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!s E R M O N, 

DELIVERED AT SHREWSBURY, 
BY JOSEPH SUMNER, 

June 23d, 1812; 

THE DAY WHICH COMPLETED 

FIFTY YEARS 

FROM THE TIMS OF HIS INDUCTION INTO THE 

PASTORAL OFFICE, 

OVER THE 



CHURCH AND PEOPLE IN THAT PLACE. 



PUBLISHED Br DSSJSB. 



I 



PRINTED AT \i'ORCESTER, BY ISAAC STURTEVANT, 

1812, 



V- 






SERMON, 



PSALM, cxlv. 4. 

oyE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE THY WORIfS TO ANOTHER, 
AND SHALL DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS. 

X HE works of God are a glorious 
and continued display of his perfections. Day 
unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night 
shevveth knowledge of God. The works of cre- 
ation and providence loudly proclaim through 
all the earth his wisdom and his power. The 
work of redemption more abundantly manifests 
his grace and his mercy. This has employed 
the thoughts, the tongues and the pens of 
Patriarchs and Prophets, of Apostles and many 
other devout men in various ages of the world. 
This has been the admiration and joy of Saints 
and of Angels, and will be celebratecj in their 
united songs through all eternity. The works of 
creation, providence and redemption, exhibit the 
glories of Deity to men, and teach them their 
duty to Him. Hence the importance of handing 
down from one generation to anotlier, these works 
of God, that they may excite our reverence and 
fear of Himj our gratitude and praise, our hope 
and trust. These important purposes are di- 
rectly promoted by sacredj and are aided by all 



# 4 

authentick history. Nations, which are not fa- 
voured with divine revelation, possess much 
knowledge of the works and ways of God, which 
Divine Providence enables them to transmit 
from one generation to another. In every age 
God endows some with supereminent talents, to 
perform distinguished services in the world, 
and he raises up others to be the historians 
of their deeds; and with these, they also regis- 
ter many of the dealings of God with the chil- 
dren of men, for the benefit of succeeding gen- 
erations. 

The works of God call for the notice and 
praise of his rational offspring, because they 
tend to the glory of the Creator, and to the in- 
struction of his creatures. It is suitable at all 
times to praise God for his works, and to speak 
of hinlibr the improvement of the rising gener- 
ation j Dut there are certain periods in the revo- 
lutions of years, when it is proper to take a re- 
trospection of the great events in Providence, 
that we may impress our minds with the recol- 
lection of those providential dispensations, 
which have been conveyed to us by sacred and 
profane history, to strengthen our own faith 
and hope in God, and to establish these in 
others. It is also our duty to register, and to de- 
clare those works of God, which have been ex- 
hibited to our view, while we have been upon 
the stage of action. In this manner' one genera- 
tion should praise God's works to another, and 
declare his mighty acts. 



This day completes half a century since my 
induction into the pastoral office over the Church 
and people in this place. This connexion must 
soon be dissolved, and I therefore desire to direct 
your attention, 

L To some of the advantages, which result 
from the declaration of the works of God by one 
generation to another. 

II. To notice the principal events that have 
taken place among us, during my ministiy, par- 
ticularly those which had an immediate relation 
to the inhabitants of this town. I shall close the 
discourse by a few reflections, as the application 
of our subject. — Permit me, 

I. To direct your attention to some of the ad- 
vantages which result from the declaration of the 
works of God, bj- one generation to another. 

The communication of important knowledge 
from one generation to another is one principal 
design of sacred history, which preserves the 
knowledge of the state of innocence in which 
God originally placed man, of his fall from this 
state ; and of the provision made for his recove- 
ry. We cannot but admire the wisdom, power 
and goodness of the Creator in the formation of 
man, in whose composition earth and heaven 
were united ; a body formed of earth and won- 
derfully constructed, and a spirit of understand- 
ing given by the inspiration of the Almighty. 
We are justly astonished, when w^e contemplate 
the wonderful method devised and executed for 
the recovery of the race of mankind from the state 



6 

of ruin into which by their transgressions, they 
had plunged themselves. The historical part of 
scripture, and indeed the whole of the sacred 
writings, is one continued history of the work 
of redemption by Jesus Christ. The knowledge 
of the interposi<^ion of God in favour of fallen 
man was at first conveyed by tradition, one gen- 
eration declaring the works of God to another, 
for which the longevity of those early genera- 
tions was favourable. Unity of design, steadi- 
ness of co-operation, and a progress of discovery 
respecting the great designs of God towards 
man, were carried on from Adam to Noah, from 
Noah to Abraham, and from Abraham to Moses, 
one generation declaring the works of God to 
another. Moses com.piled that part of the most 
ancient, the most elegant and the most instruc- 
tive of all Books, which contains the history of 
the world from the creation to his own time. 
After him, numbers were raised up to continue 
the history of the dispensations of Providence 
with the Jews and some neighbouring nations, 
with which ihey had occasional intercourse, for 
the space of two thousand years. All these dis- 
pensations were intended to prepare the world 
for the appearance of the Messiah, concerning 
whom many predictions are interspersed in the 
sacred writings, and of whom sacred history- 
gives many types, in the characters of men who 
were distinguished by a greater measure of 
gifts and graces, exhibiting to the world exam- 
ples of human excellence, as patterns for our 



imitation. Hence we are called to notice the 
faith of Abraham, the innocence of Joseph, the 
meekness of Moses, and the patience of Job. 

We also derive much information respecting 
the dispensations of Divine Providence from 
authentick prophanc history. Every page of 
which tends to confirm the sacred truth, that a 
wise, powerful and benevolent Being governs the 
universe ; who brings good out of evil, and order 
out of confusion. History teaches us, that the 
powers and efforts of men and of nations are of- 
ten directed to purposes very different from the 
original intention and design. The same Being 
made the greatest things and the smallest ; all are 
parts of the same system ; and what appears to 
us the most inconsiderable, answers a useful end, 
as our Saviour observes, not a sparrow falls to 
the ground without the permission of God, and 
the very hairs of our heads are numbered. As 
nothing was made in vain, "so nothing comes to 
pass without the appointment, or the permission 
of God, some purpose therefore is intended by 
every thing that happens, as well as by every 
thing that is made. A design may not be so 
apparent in small things as in great ; but the 
hand of God is really in every event which hap- 
pens, and a recognition of past events is a source 
of useful instruction and improvement, for it 
will be the means of increasing our knowledge 
of God and of his works. What above all dis- 
covers the hand of Providence, as well, as the 
weakness and short sightedness of man is, that 



8 

great events are often brought about contrary to 
the intention of the persons, who were the princi- 
pal instruments of them ; and by the very means 
which were designed to produce contrary effects. 
Thus persecution has always been the means of 
promoting the persecuted religion, insomuch 
that it has become a common proverb, ** The 
blood of the Martyr is the seed of the Church." 
On the contrary, the success and prosperity of a 
nation have often proved the means of their ulti- 
mate ruin. In like manner, small events, and 
such as had no apparent connexion with the ef- 
fect produced have been over-ruled to bring 
about the greatest changes. Thus the desire of 
Henry the Vlllth to be divorced from a wife, was 
the means to produce the reformation in En- 
gland, for which Protestants to this day rejoice. 

Monuments erected in commemoration of 
great events are all fading and mouldering into 
dust. Monumental inscriptions, which are in- 
tended to perpetuate the names of men, who were 
greatly distinguished, as instruments in the im- 
portant events of the world, are also perishing. 
It is the faithful page of history only, that hands 
down to posterity the great events of the world, 
or the men who were conspicuous actors in them. 
Here the knowledge of them may be acquired, 
while the smallest vestiges of literature shall re- 
main upon earth. — I pass, 

2. To notice the principal events that have 
taken place among us, during my ministry, par- 
ticularly those, which had relation to the inhabi- 
tants of this town. 



The last fifty years perhaps include as many 
important changes, as the same space of time in 
any period of the world. North-America, half 
a century ago, was harmoniously connected with 
Great-Britain, and the latter was then closing a 
vigorous war with France and Spain. In the 
former part of that war, we were unsuccessful; 
but in the latter part, Providence greatly smiled 
upon us, the British dominions were enlarged ; 
and by the conquest of Canada this country was 
delivered from the terrour of an inimical neigh- 
bour. In consequence of this great event, our 
country promised itself long peace and rest. The 
most favourable opportunity was then offered to 
increase our settlements, extend our borders, and 
multiply our resources. Although these then 
provinces of the British empire had no design of 
becoming a separate nation, yet Divine Provi- 
dence was preparing the way for this great event. 
An extensive territory on the north and west, 
which, at the close of the French war, was ceded 
to Great-Britain, with a chain of fortresses orig- 
inally erected for our annoyance, at the acknow- 
ledgment of our independence, was included 
within the limits of the United States. This ter- 
ritory extends our national frontier, increases our 
conveniencies, and adds to our security. 

A perfect calm in the political world is not 
long to be expected. The reciprocal happiness 
of Great-Britain and the Colonies was too great to 
be of long duration. Soon after the peace of 
1763) trouble came rrom an unexpected quirter. 



iO 



Great-Britain claimed a right to tax the colonies 
without their consent, *' in all cases whatever, ''^ 
and the claim gave general alarm. The opposi- 
tion made to the encroachment upon American 
liberty was so far successful, as to keep back the 
dispute between the two countries from coming 
to the last extremit}^ for about ten years j in which 
time we were rising in strength for an appeal to 
the Arbiter of the Universe, by the sword. A 
long and distressing war ensued, which cost the 
lives of many worthy citizens. Some of us still 
remember the gall and worm.wood of those years, 
during which scarcely a family escaped the bit- 
terness of having some friend slain in battle, or 
perishing in captivity. When we look back up- 
on those scenes, in which we were either actors, 
or spectators, we cannot but wonder, that the in- 
fant colonies, so unprepared as they were for 
war, should dare to engage with one of the most 
powerful kingdoms of the earth; and at an early 
period of the contest to assume a name and a 
place among free and independent nations. But 
the Divine counsels must and will stand. That 
was the time appointed by Heaven, for a nation 
to be born in a day; and circumstances were made 
to concur for its accomplishment. The situation 
of this country, from its first settlement by Euro- 
peans, has been very different from that of most 
others. In them; territory has been obtained by 
conquest, and government established by the 
sword. In this, the soil was purchased of the 
original inhabitants, jtRd cultivated by the own- 



XI 



crs, who, when they could no longer be governed 
under the British crown agreeably to their native 
privileges, framed a government for themselves, 
and established it by mutual consent ; in all the 
concerns of which Heaven favoured them, and 
under which they, for a time, greatly prospered. 
Haifa century ago, the number of inhabitants 
in the district of country which now composes 
the United States, was small in comparison with 
our present numbers. The increase ot husband- 
ry, navigation and commerce, has been in full 
proportion to the population ; and all these, since 
the revolution, have increased beyond example. 
At the close of the revolutionary war, the naviga- 
tion of this country was next to nothing ; but 
within twelve years, the American flag was dis- 
played in the ports of almost every commercial 
state and kingdom upon the globe ; and had not 
the spirit of enterprise been checked by commer- 
cial embarrassments, we cannot calculate the de- 
gree of wealth and respectability to which these 
United States would have arisen by this time. — 
New settlements have been greatly extended, and 
four or five new States have been added to the 
original thirteen. Settlements have been made, 
churches formed, academies and colleges founded 
and put into a flourishing condition, where less 
than fifty years ago it was a howling wilderness. 
The wilderness has become a fruitful field, and 
the deserts made to blossom like the rose. ' ' Thus 
the period has been replete with events in our 
own country, which have astonished the car:?ful 



12 

and wise observers of Divine Providence in hu- 
man affairs,** which the historick page will de- 
clare to posterity ; and in which future genera- 
tions may trace the agency of the Almighty in 
the support of his Church in the world. 

From America, the spirit of liberty was carried 
into France; but it could not there flourish. That 
nation was not prepared to entertain it. Upon 
throwing off" monarchy, they fell into anarchy, 
and have been constrained at last to submit to a 
military despotism. Instead of ameliorating 
their condition, they have rendered it seven fold 
worse than it was before. This might have been 
expected, for under the influence of atheistick 
philosophy, they destroyed the constitutions of 
their religion, trampled upon the temples and the 
worship of their God; and they declared death to be 
an eternal sleep. An aspiring chieftain seized the 
favourable moment to usurp dominion ; and he 
has established an absolute despotism over the 
nation. Not satisfied with the sceptre of France, 
he has spread desolation among the nations of 
Continental Europe; and by intrigue and the sword 
has subjected many of them to a state of abject 
slavery. How far he may be permitted to go, 
and how long he may be permitted to be a scourge 
to the earth, God only knows. 

But the compass of one discourse will not per- 
mit me to wanderamong the nations to declare the 
works of God. These all in a wonderful man- 
ner display his power, wisdom and goodness. — 
In every country, there have been distinguished 



'3 

characters raised up, who have provcc! great bles- 
sings, or great curses to the nations which gave 
them birth. They, who have been great and ex- 
tensive blessings in their day, ought to be remem- 
bered with respect. Many such, whose names 
arc enrolled in the records of this country, were 
brought upon the stage of publick life, during 
the last half century i and took their several parts 
in our revolution ; most of whom have done their 
work and have passed off. There have been ma- 
ny in the private walks of life, whose memories 
may be as precious to us, as that of those who 
moved in a publick sphere, whose example may 
be as worthy of imitation ; and the copy more ex- 
tensively useful. The general on the field of bat- 
tle, and tlic statesman in the cabinet, may exhibit 
something worthy the notice and imitation of 
those who may act in a like capacity ; but to the 
generality of mankind it is a copy, they do not 
aspire to write af'^cr. It is the industrious, pru- 
dent man, in private life, who sustains the char- 
acter of an affectionate husband, a tender p.iront, 
a kind neighbour, a good member of society, and, 
which crowns all, of a good chii^tian, who sets 
an example for general imitation ; and this copy- 
may be useful for mankind at large. — In many 
respects, the state of society, vyithui the last fifty 
years, has been improved. Civilization has been 
extended and knowledge increased. The slave 
trade has been discountenanced within the United 
States, and in the Northern States slavery is 
wholly laid aside ; and wenre told, that tlie con- 



dition of slaves in the Southern Scates, as well as 
in some other parts of the world is made better. 
They are not only provided with more comforta- 
ble food, but a degree of attention is paid to their 
religious instruction ; and some of them are 
christianized. These circumstances give us rea- 
son to hope, that the time is approaching, when 
all God*s rational offspring will enjoy civil and 
moral freedom. 

During the period within our review, inven- 
tion has been upon the stretch in this country. 
Many useful discoveries have been made in the 
mechanical arts, by which much labour is saved, 
and greater dispatch made. Another occurrence 
which strongly characterizes this period, and ex- 
hibits a still more favourable appearance respect- 
ing mankind, and the Church of God is, the 
charitable exertions that are making to spread 
the gospel in our infant plantations, and among 
the heathen. For these apostolic and glorious 
purposes numerous societies have been formed, 
and they give great encouragement to all, who 
have any interest at the throne of grace, to pray 
for the bringing in of the Jews, with the fulness 
of the Gentiles, that when the people of God take 
pleasure in the stones, and favour the dust of 
Zion, that He would arise and build her up. 

But as smaller events become important to 
those, who by their local situation have an im- 
mediate interest in them, I would notice some 
things respecting the Church and Flock of God 
in this place, and more particularly those, which I 



have taken place within the last fifty years. Some 
of these may be worthy of attention, as they may 
excite your gratitude to Heaven for the smiles of 
Divine Providence upon the inhabitants of this 
town from generation, to generation. We have 
it from good authority, that the land which ori- 
ginally composed the town of Shrewsbury, was 
passed over by the proprietors of the adjacent 
towns, because they thought it not worthy of be- 
ing taken into their grants. Hence the form of 
of it was irregular. But a governing providence 
had not destined this tract to remain a waste. In 
process of time it was to become a fruitful field. 
In 17 1 7, it was granted to body of men, who were 
not only enterprizing and industrious, but also re- 
ligiously disposed. They considered publick wor- 
ship and the publick institutions of religion to be 
of the first importance, in their tendency to pro- 
mote the highest interests of society, and to pre- 
pare men individually for the kingdom ot 
Heaven. About the year 1721, the first Meet- 
ing-House in this place was built by the proprie- 
tors. On the fourth of December, 1723, the 
Church was gathered under the inspection of an 
Ecclesiastical Council, which was convened for 
the purpose of ordaining the first minister of the 
town, the Reverend Job Cushing, who was cal- 
led and settled by the proprietors ; and who was 
distinguished for his prudence and general ex- 
emplary deportment. He died, suddenly, August 
6, 1760. 



i6 

The land in the grant which composed Shrews= 
bury was originally rough, and it had been great- 
ly impoverished by frequent burnings by the 
proprietors of neighbouring settlements. Much 
hard labour was necessary to bring it into a state of 
cultivation ; and the progress of ics settlement 
was consequently slow ; but from personal ac« 
quaintance with some of the first settlers, and 
from correct information respecting others, I am 
authorised to say, that they were remarkable for 
their industry, frugality and temperance. It 
seems that they attended unto, and embraced the 
doctrine inculcated in the first sermon, that was 
preached in the plantation. It was delivered by 
the Reverend Mr. Breck of Marlborough, on 
the 15th of June, 1720, from the following words, 
viz : *' Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin 
is a reproach to any people." It appears, 
that they adopted the resolution of Joshua, that 
as for themselves and their households, they 
would serve the Lord. The Church when form- 
ed consisted of sixteen male members ; and about 
an equal number of female members was soon 
after admitted into the Church, most of them 
the partners of those who were first embodied. 
It appears from the Church records, that within 
four years, from the time the Church was gather- 
ed, the heads of families, almost without except 
lion, became members of it. The Church re- 
mained in perfect harmony and peace for eight 
years, when some dispute arose respecting disci- 
pline, and particularly on the question, whether 



^7 

Ruling Elders be a distinct office appointed by 
apostolick authority ? This controversy contin- 
ued about ten years, when a small number with- 
drew from the church ; but they afterward re- 
turned, and remained regular members until the 
time of their death. This was the only contro- 
versy, as far as I can learn, which has ever arisen 
in this church. After the death of their first 
pastor, and before the ordination of the second, 
the church renewed their Christian obligations | 
and at that time they added one article to their 
covenant. This, after some years experience, 
was found to be the ground of uneasiness to some 
members, and an objection, in the minds of num- 
bers, against seeking admision into the church.. 
The article was in consequence rescinded by an 
unanimous vote. During the fifty years of my 
ministry, the church has scarcely in any instance 
met, but for the management of its prudential 
concerns ; and I have scarcely known a vote 
passed which was not unanimous. 

In December, 1742, the north part of Shrews- 
bury was incorporated into a parish ; and in the 
next year, fourteen male members of this church, 
and sixteen female were dismissed and recom- 
mended by this church : These, with some oth- 
ers, were formed into a church state, on the 6rh 
of October, 1743, when »he first minister was 
ordained over the cj;iurch and people of that par- 
ish. In March, 1786, this parish was incorpo- 
rated into a town, by the name of Boylston ; and 
in September, 1796, a second church was form- 
c 



ed in that town, by a number of members from 
the first church, together with some members 
from the churches in Holden and Sterling ; and 
this new society has since been incorporated into 
a town, by the name of West Boylston. Three 
houses for pubhck worship are now standing on 
the original grant of Shrewsbury. 

This church, when it renewed its covenant in 
the year 1761, consisted of twenty eight male 
members, the number of female cannot be ascer- 
tained } but the communicants were more nu- 
merous than the members of the church. Many 
who moved into town did not remove their rela- 
tions from the churches which they originally 
joined, and become acting members of this body. 
This church, from the first, has manifested a 
candid spirit towards other denominations of 
Christians. They have never refused commun- 
ion to Christian professors, whose lives and con- 
versation, in the judgment of charity, supported 
their profession. Although emigration of church 
members, as well as of other inhabitants of the 
town, has been very considerable, yet the church 
has been gradually increasing in numbers. There 
have been ten officiating deacons in this churchy 
since its formation. The two who were in of- 
fice, when the second church was formed, fell 
within the limits of that society. There is but 
one individual now living in town, who was a 
member of this church at the time of my ordina- 
tion, this is a female; and there are, 1 believe, but 
three persons now alive who were then members. 



19 

Two hundred and sixty seven have been admit- 
ted to full ccnnmunion during my ministry ; and 
about one thousand one hundred and twenty have 
been baptized. The births within this period were 
between thirteen and fourteen hundred. The num- 
ber of marriages I cannot precisely ascertain. I 
have solemnized the marriage of four hundred and 
ten couple, the greater part of whom emigrated. 
The deaths have been about six hundred and fif- 
ty. Between twelve and thirteen in a year. For 
some of the first years of my ministry, 1 cannot 
be answerable for ihe correctness of my bill of 
mortality. The average number of deaths in the 
year, since that time, has been a little more than 
one to an hundred of the inhabitants. According 
to the census in 1790, the population of the town 
then was nine hundred and sixty three souls, in 
1800, one thousand and forty three, and in 1810, 
one thousand two hundred and ten. Thus hath 
God increased our numbers. Did the inhabit- 
ants of the town attend publick worship, as uni«- 
versally at the present day, as they did fifty years 
ago, this house would scarcely contain our assem- 
bly. 

From the first settlement of the place, our peo- 
ple have been laudably disposed to make suita- 
ble provision for the education of the rising gen» 
eration. Not a few have felt themselves able, 
and willing to give some of their children more 
than a common school education ; by which they 
have been qualified to become instructors in 
schools, and to serve their generation in various 



20 

Other useful departments. Twenty of our youth 
have received a collegiate education within the last 
iifty years, and three at an earlier period, many 
of whom became respectable ministers of the 
gospel ; and others of them have been distin- 
guished in important offices of the government** 
Few towns have been favoured with more gen- 
eral health than this, for the last half century. 
The greatest number of deaths, which has happen- 
ed in any one year, took place in 1770. The can-- 
kerrash, or throat distemper, then prevailed, and 

* The Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq. was born in Shrewsbury, 
November, 1727, and graduated at Harvard College, 1748.— 
Soon after he received the commission of a Justice ot the Peace. 
He was a field officer in the French war, in 1758, and in 176^, 
v/as appointed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for this 
county, and in 1775 was constituted Chief Justice of this court ; 
and fur a time he filled the office of Judge of Probate for th© 
county. For many years he was the Representative of this 
town in the General Court, he was chosen the Speaker of that 
honourable body, and he for several years filled a seat at the 
Council Board. When hostilities between Great Britain and 
America were expected, the Provincial Congress of Massachu- 
setts appointed him to command the forces of the Province ; and 
at tlie commencement of the war, in in 1775, he commanded the 
American army, near Boston, from April to July, when he was 
superceded in this arduous duty by General Washington. Un- 
der Congress, he was appointed the second in command in the 
continental army, which commission he resigned soon after the 
British troops evacuated Boston. Under the old confederation, 
be was chosen a member of Congress, and was repeatedly elect- 
ed a member of the House of Representatives in Congress ; after 
the establishment of the Federal Constitution. He continued in 
publick life until bodily infirmity obliged him to retire. He 
die4 October 27, 1800. 



twenty seven persons died by it. Two families 
lost four in each. In 1775, the dysentery was 
brought into this place from the camp, and 
proved fatal to numbers ; others of our inhabit- 
ants died of various disorders, and the whole num- 
ber of deaths in that year was nineteen. These 
two were the years of our greatest mortality. A 
large proportion of our people have attained to a 
good old age ; and some to a degree of longevity, 
which in modern times is rarely the lot of hu- 
manity. John Keyes, Esq. died March 3, 1768, 
at the age of ninety four, he left a widow who 
lived to be ninety six years old, and they lived 
together, in the married state seventy two years. 
In 1790, one in fifty of our inhabitants had pass- 
ed eighty years of age. Of these, one died in her 
hundred and fifth year,* and another lived to be 
an hundred and five years and two months old.*f- 
They, who live the longest, find an appointed 
time beyond which they cannot pass. One gen- 
eration passeth away and another cometh. Every 
year makes changes in families, in churches, and 
in towns. 

It is computed, that in this country, which is 
considered as one of the most healthy in the 
world, one half of the human race die under 
twenty years of age. It is supposed, that in 
twenty seven years, as many die, as are living at 
any given period of time. The whole popula- 
tion of the earth has been estimated, by some, at 

* Widow Mary Jones. f Widow Ruth Garfield. 



1% 

one thousand million. From these principles 
we may calculate, that about thirty seven million 
persons die, annually, on our globe; seven hundred 
and twelve thousand every week ; one hundred 
one thousand seven hundred and fifty daily ; four 
thousand two hundred and thirty nine every hour i 
and about seventy every minute. This number 
of human beings is coming into, and passing 
out of the world without intermission. *' What 
an astonishing current of souls is rapidly borne 
on the tide of time, incessantly shooting into the 
ocean of eternity, and appearing before God in 
judgment !"* According to this calculation, the 
earth changes its inhabitants twice in a little more 
than half a century. When we compare 
our bill of mortality with the above estimation of 
the mortality of the world, it will appear very 
small j and we shall perceive our obligations to 
bless and to praise God for his goodness mani- 
fested towards us. 

In this climate, healthy as it is, half a century 
makes great changes in the inhabitants of our 
land. It has changed all the ministers of the 
Gospel in this extensive county, and very few 
remain in the comonwealth, who were in the 
ministry, at the time of my induction into office. 
Thirty years have swept away almost all the 
leading characters in the revolution. Rulers and 
ruled, ministers and those to whom they minis- 
tered, are gone upon the current of time. If we 

• Rev. Dr. Trumbuilc 




23 

look into families, we find very few instances 
where both the heads continue for fifty years. 
There arc but two such families now in this 
town, which were here when I was ordained, 
and there are vey few instances where either of 
those, who were then heads of families, remain 
unto this day. 

APPLICATION. 

The cursory review, we have taken of the 
events of the last half century, naturally leads us 
to serious reflections. This period of time has 
been important, not because I, an unworthy min- 
ister of Jesus Christ, have been continued among 
you J but because it has been filled up with im- 
portant publick events, and with concerns of 
great personal interest to you, individually, or in 
your connexion with domestick life. Almost 
every one of you can recollect, that within this 
period, a parent, a partner or a child has died. 
Not one of of those years perhaps passed with- 
out events highly important to some of us. Few 
of us, who, have not been called within these 
years, at different times, to take the place of 
mourners, and to follow divers of our friends 
to the silent mansion. Lovers and friends have 
been taken from us, and put far into darkness. 
We lamented their deaths. The wormwood 
and the gall, our souls have still in remem- 
brance- It is highly important, that we inquire 
what effect those things have had upon us ? 
Whether they have avvakened in us a carefulness. 
to prepare for our own great and last diange ? 



&4 

When wc look forward fifty years, they ap» 
pear very long ; but when we look back fifty, 
they appear very short. I cannot realize that 
so many years have rolled away since the day, 
when with fear and trembling, 1 took the over- 
sight of this flock, then solemnly committed to 
my charge. It had been my intention not to en- 
ter into the ministry at so early a period ; but it 
appeared toothers, as well as to myself, to be the 
will of Providence that I should. I could not 
doubt the sincere affection of those who invited 
and solicited me to take the charge and oversight 
of them in the Lord. I have reason gratefully 
to recognize their candour and kindness to me 
during my more youthful years, and even as long 
as they were continued with us. But they are 
numbered with the congregation of the dead. 
Like candour and kindness I have reason to ac- 
knowledge in the present generation. 1 am sen- 
sible, that in such a long course of ministrations, 
the manner and method of a preacher usually 
become obsolete ; and, I trust, that while any 
traces of reason remain with me, I shall not for- 
get the kind reception I have met with from the 
body of this people. The unhappy habit which 
some of this society have formed, of neglecting 
the publick institutions of religion, has been the 
greatest discouragement, which I have experienc- 
ed since my settlement. This has caused me to 
entertain serious thoughts of discontinuing my 
pastoral relation to this church and people, in 
the hope, that a new preacher would engage the 
attention of those, who habitually absent them- 



25 
selves from publick worship and bring them off 
from their dangerous neglect. But this, when I 
have mentioned the thought, has been univer- 
sally condemned by those, in whose wisdom 
and friendship I have been accustomed to con- 
fide. But my course is almost finished ; ac- 
cording to the order of naiure, my work is al- 
most done. I have been with your predecessors, 
and with most of you in seasons of trial and af- 
fliction. I have endeavoured to minister unto 
you according to my feeble ability, in private, as 
well as in publick, agreeably to the revealed will 
of God. This I have taken for my guide with- 
out enlisting myself under any dividing, human 
name. It has been my endeavour to preach 
Christ and Him crucified ; and to inculcate the 
important duties of the Christian character. 
With what success and profit, I have ministered, 
will more fully appear on another day ; and 
where no advantage has been derived from ths 
means of grace in this place, it will then also 
appear, who was the blameable cause. Ail I 
have to say is, that as far as I know myself, I 
have endeavoured to fulfil the ministry, which I 
have received of the Lord Jesus ; and Providence 
has favoured me with such general health, that I 
have rarely failed in standing in my lot in pub- 
lick ; or of obeying more private calls to minis- 
terial duty. If life, health and any tolerable de- 
gree of mental strength should be continued unto 
me a little longer, 1 shall be willing to spend 
these in your service. But I find the infirmities 

D 



26 

ot age increasing upon me ; especially men- 
tal infirmities. These may perhaps increase so 
fast, that I may not be sensible of my own de- 
cays. — In that case, you will kindly prevent my 
attempting to minister unto you. 

According to the course of nature, you must 
erelong be destitute of a minister ; you will not 
therefore think it assuming, if I give you a word 
of advice respecting the re-settlement of a Chris- 
tian pastor. You will not, I presume, be willing 
to live without the publick ministrations of the 
gospel. As you have a fund for the support of 
a congregational minister, which cannot be aUen- 
ated to any secular purpose, nor converted to the 
support of a minister of any other denomination 
of Christians, there can, 1 trust, be no doubt that 
on my decease, the pastoral office in this church 
will soon be re-fillcd. Still I feel anxiety lest 
divisions should arise among you. There are at 
this day dividing names, among which many 
preachers inlist ; I therefore take the liberty to 
recommend the following things unto you. Let 
your waiting eyes be unto God, not only in secret 
and in private, but also in publick, with humilia- 
tion and fasting. Take advice, especially of the 
neighbouring ministers, who may well be sup- 
posed have more acquaintance with candidates 
than you can posses. Then hear and judge for 
yourselves. Beware of such preachers as place 
the essence of religion in external modes and 
iorms, in dividing names, or in specula4ive mat- 
ters, in themselves doubtful, and which would 



27 

be useless, if their truth could be made certain. 
They, who enrol themselves as the disciples of 
this or that distinguished man in the Christian 
world, feel that they are pledged to support his 
peculiar system, and they call into exercise all 
their metaphysical powers to persuade the less 
informed, that they see further into hidden 
things, than their fellow men. 

There is, I conceive, more danger of deception 
from these metaphysicians than from those, 
who make the essence of religion to consist in 
external rites, or in the mode of administering 
them ; because the latter at first view, appear 
so absurd, and savour so much of a pharisaical 
spirit, that none but the most uninformed can be 
deluded by them. The Congregational Society 
in this town, in their fund, possess the best barrier 
against sectarianism and fanaticism. Professions 
are cheap things ; and many are willing to 
offer that which costs them nothing. 1 urge 
upon you diligently to search the scriptures, and 
to try every man*s doctrine by this standard. — 
Place not your dependence upon the creeds and 
confessions of men, nor upon any human com- 
position. If any man preach any other gospel 
than that which you find in the scriptures, be- 
lieve him not. If the scriptures be not a suffi- 
cient rule of faith and practice, we cannot expect 
to find this rule among human forms. It will be 
a misapplication of the avails of your funds, to 
apply them for such speculative preaching as 
tends neither to enlighten the mind, nor to regu- 



28 

late the practice. But as none but professed con- 
gregationalists will have a right to a voice in the 
choice of a minister here, I trust you will har- 
monize upon this important subject. Having 
witnessed in many places the unhappy conse- 
quences which result from pushing the settle- 
ment of a minister, in opposition to a respectable 
minority, I cannot but caution you against this 
error. The spirit of party is hereby excited, and 
nn alienation of brethren ensues, which requires a 
long time to remedy. In case of great division, 
permit the individual who is the object of it, qui- 
etly to depart, and invite a new candidate, look- 
ing to God to unite you in his own time and way. 
Be not too hasty in forming an opinion of your 
candidate, but take time to satisfy yourselves re- 
specting his doctrine^ his morals and his prudence. 
Some appear better upon a slight acquaintance, 
than they do when fully known. It is the com- 
plaint of some societies, that their ministers preach 
a different doctrine after their ordination, from 
that which they preached while candidates. You 
will therefore consider the im.portance of as full 
an investigation, as in your power, of the integri- 
ty, the knowledge, in a word, of the various qual- 
ifications for a minister, possessed by your 
candidate, before you proceed to settle him. 

The review of the last half century naturally 
leads us to inquire, what probably will be our sit- 
uation before the next fifty years shall com.plete 
their revolutions. What intervening changes 
may take place with us, or any of ours, we can- 



29 

not tell ; what sufferings are allotted us, what 
conflicts we may be called to sustain, God only 
knows ; but this one thing we know, the greater 
part of us, who are now in the house of God, will 
be in an eternity of happiness or misery, before 
the expiration of half a century. It concerns us 
all to reflect, for which of these states we are pre- 
pared — Whether we are vessels of mercy prepar- 
ing for glory, or, vessels of wrath, fitting for de- 
struction. 

What changes those of this audience will wit- 
ness, who shall live fifty years from this time, is 
beyond human foresight. Whether the Federal 
union of these States will last half this time, is, 
from present appearances, very doubtful. But 
according to the best received interpretation of an- 
cient prophecies, the Millennial state of the 
Church, will commence about that time.* We 
may rejoice in the anticipation of such a glorious 
event, but the eternal state of most of us will be 
fixed, before the arrival of this period. It con- 
cerns us, one and all, to prepare ourselves for 
whatever may take place in the Divine govern- 
ment, while we shall be upon the stage of life. 
More especially it concerns us to prepare for our 
dissolution by death j from which no age is ex- 
empt. We, who are old, may be assured that 

* The Pope was formally invested with the authority of Uni- 
versal Bishop by the Emperor Phocas, A. D. 606. Adding to 
this period the 1260 days mentioned by Daniel, or, as is intend- 
ed by prophetick days, J 260 years, we are brought to the year 
1866, See Fader. 



30 

our time on earth is short ; that we must soon go 
the way, whence none return ; that the places, 
which now know us on earth, will know us no 
more. The greatest kindness we can exten dto 
posterity, the greatest good we can do to those 
who may succeed us in our respective places, is, 
by a life of godliness and sobriety, to give our 
dying tesimony for God and for religion. As 
we wish, that posterity may enjoy the fruits 
of our labour, and reap the fields we have culti- 
vated, let us teach them by precept and example, 
to fear God, to regard his word, his day yhis bouse, 
his worship y his injunctions oi justice ^ benevolence 
and charity. 

Finally, let it be the care of all, to act their 
parts well on the stage of life, and to approve 
themselves faithful unto the death. May God of 
hismercy grant, that in the day of judgement, we 
may meet together at the right hand of Jesus, and 
may be admitted into the kingdom of glory. 



AMEN. 















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